The World's First Official Ironman Golf Tournament... Pro Park Noseok Challenges for Victory

Park No-seok, a professional golfer with a total of 9 career wins, has thrown down the gauntlet to become the inaugural champion of the world’s first official tournament featuring three rounds per day, the ‘2023 Asia Economy Honam. Jeje CHALLENGE 54 Ironman Golf Tournament.’

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This year’s Ironman Golf will be held from July 5 to 7 at Golfzon County Ora, featuring an open competition where professionals and amateurs compete in a three-round stroke play format in one day on the 7th, alongside a festival for the general public ranging from 36 holes up to 200 holes.

Park No-seok, participating in this Ironman Golf, hails from Jangheung, Jeollanam-do, and is a KPGA legend-level player who, from the late 1990s to the early 2000s, formed a formidable duo with pro golfer Choi Kyung-ju in Korean men’s professional golf.

Park turned professional in 1993 by joining the KPGA and began his winning streak in 1997 as the inaugural champion of the SK Telecom tournament. He also won the Philip Morris Asia Cup on the Asian Tour and twice captured the KPGA Championship, a feat rarely achieved. During his active career, he secured 6 wins on the Korean Tour and 1 win on the Asian Tour.

Last year, he demonstrated his still-sharp shot-making skills by winning two consecutive tournaments on the KPGA Champions Tour, a senior competition. Even now, he boasts driving distances comparable to players in their 20s on the tour, proving his excellent self-management through his performance.

Additionally, Park No-seok is well known as the coach who has guided Lee Hyung-jun (31), a current Korean Tour standout with 7 career wins, from his junior days through his professional career.

Breaking the common stereotype that talented players rarely become capable coaches, Park was recognized for his coaching abilities and received the KPGA Excellent Coach Award in 2016.

Regarding his decision to participate in the Ironman Golf Tournament, Park No-seok said, “Playing three rounds in one day is physically and mentally challenging. However, I felt that if not now, it would be difficult to take on this challenge, so I decided to do it in my mid-50s.”

He continued, “The long playing time will bring many variables. I will do my best to compete against younger players.”

Meanwhile, applications for the ‘CHALLENGE 54 Ironman Golf Tournament’ will be accepted starting early May through the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Golf Association.

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Park Chang-won bless4ya@asiae.co.kr

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